Rulings of the Scholars

Questions to Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn Baaz (Questions posed by Shaykh Abul-Hasan al-Misree) Translated into English by: Abu Talha Daawood ibn Ronald Burbank

1. Regarding the entry into Islaamic groups and parties.

Q. ....and the students refer back to you and to the major scholars and ask them. So what do you advise them. Do you advise them that you approve of entry into the like of these Jamaa'ahs: Jamaa'atul-Ikhwaan, Jamaa'atul-Tableegh, Jamaatul-Jihaad, Jamaa'ah so and so..., or do you advise them to remain upon seeking knowledge with the students of knowledge from the Salafi da'wah?

Ans. All praise is for Allaah and may Allaah extol and send blessings of peace upon his Prophet. We advise them all to unite upon a single way, and that is ... (words unclear) seeking knowledge, and attaining understanding of the Book and the Sunnah - and to proceed upon the methodology (minhaj) of the Salafus-Saalih. But as for partisanship (tahazzub) for the Ikhwaanul-Muslimeen or Jamaa'atut-Tableegh or so on, then I do not advise that. That is a mistake. Rather we advise them that they should be together upon a single way, a single Jamaa'ah - advising one another upon the truth and...(words unclear), and having allegiance to the Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah. This is the correct way to prevent differences, and if there are groups (jamaa'ahs) upon that way - then that will not harm - for example a group in ...(words unclear), or a group for example in San'aa - but all of them are upon the Salafi way - following the Book and the Sunnah, calling to Allaah and having allegiance to the Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah, without partisanship (tahazzub) and without bigotry (ta'assub - rigidity upon a way even if it is false) - that will not harm, even if there is a number of groups as long as their way and their goal is one.

2. Regarding the Pledge of Allegiance.

Q. May Allaah bless you. Some Salafi students say that we must unite upon an agreement and a Pledge of Allegiance to a leader for us - even if we are upon the Salafi methodology and not from the other jamaa'ahs?

Ans. No, there is no need for this or that. Sufficient is what the earlier people were upon. The earlier people studied the knowledge and cooperated without any pledge or agreement.

3. Regarding the Rulers.

Q. May Allaah bless you. O Shaykh. These youth also have a view about the matter of the rulers, and about the declarartion of 'Takfeer' of the rulers, and speaking and rousing the people from the mimbar and with admonition, always peaking about the rulers and their shortcomings (saying): "the rulers are so and so, the rulers are so and so", and we do not wish to defend errors that occur, but is this the correct way to educate and cultivate the Muslims?

Ans. No that is not the way. The correct way is to supplicate for the ruler that he should be guided to that which is correct. To supplicate for those in authority that they should be guided, granted what is good and correct, and that they be good and sound. This is the correct way, to supplicate for them, and to obey them in that which conforms to the Sharee'ah. But if someone is ordered with something that is a sin, then he does not obey in that which is sinful. Obedience is only in that which is good. But my advice to all the students and others is that they should supplicate for the rulers that they should be guided, and set aright, and have correct and good intentions and actions; and they should help and assist them upon that which is good, and that they withold from the trials and tribulations and from killing, and from cooperation upon sin and enmity, and causing splitting - this harms everyone. So we advise them to unite upon what is good, and that they help the rulers upon obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, and supplicate for their guidance, and sincerely advise them - without rebellion, fighting or trials and tribulation, so that their strength and unity should not be split, and so as not to cause the people to be divided. But they should be sincere to Allaah and His Messenger and for His servants, the Believers. He should supplicate for the rulers that they be guided and be upon that which is correct, and be good and sound; and supplicate that they have good advisers, and help them in doing the good which was prescribed by Allaah, and is loved by Allaah; and obey them in the good which they order, and if anyone is ordered with something sinful - then there is no obedience to anyone in that which is sinful. If they say: "Drink wine", then wine is not to be drunk. If they say: "Commit fornication", then fornication is not to be committed and so on; If they say: "Deal in usury", then usury is not to be dealt in. Obedience is only in that which is good.

Q. May Allaah bless you.O our Shaikh, is it from the correct way in calling to Allaah, the Most Perfect and the Most High, that we should occupy the youth with the reading of, for example, the newspapers and magazines - in order to know the news of the west and the east; and to give this the name 'fiqhul-waaqi'' (the knowledge of the current affairs) - and that we encourage the youth upon this. Is this the correct way, or should we direct the youth to studying knowledge of the Sharee'ah, and by studying the sharee'ah they will learn the principles and fundamentals of this Religion - and through that know the enmity that there is between Islaam and its enemies; and also this will bring about unity and harmony between them, and the affairs will not be in the state they are?

Ans. This is what is required. So they are to be advised to give attention to learning the Noble Qur'aan and to memorize it and to benefit from it; and to learn the Sunnah, whatever they can from it. To learn the noble Qur'aan and the Sunnah - that which they can from it: 'Bulooghul Maraam', 'Umdatul-Hadeeth', the books of aqeedah: 'Kitaabut-Tawheed', 'Kashfush-Shubahaat', 'al-Aqeedahtul-Waasitiyyah', 'Lum'atul-i'tiqaad'..(words unclear).. in fiqh, 'al-Alfiyyah' in Arabic grammer, and so on. They should learn and memorise, so that they will be able to call to Allaah, and to refute falsehood. So we encourage them all to give attention to seeking knowledge, and to attaining understanding the Religion, and not to preoccupy themselves with magazines and newspapers and news items about the world. That will preoccupy them from what is more important. Rather we advise them to turn to seeking knowledge and attaining understanding of the Religion, and to give attention to the Qur'aan and to attain understanding of it and to memorise it, and the books of the Sunnah - to give attention to them; and the books of 'aqeedah and to give importance to what one can from them. And if he has some brief time to read some newspapers, or to listen to the news - as long as it does'nt preoccupy him from what is more important, then that is easy.

Q. May Allaah bless you, some youth say: "If we enter into a Jamaa'ah such as Jamaatul-Ikhwaan (Ikhwaan al-Muslimeen) or the 'the Tableegh' (Tablighi Jamaat) or 'al-Jihaad' (Jamaatul-Jihaad) - in order to correct the errors from within, then that is better than being at a distance from them. We should join them, and if they request an oath of allegiance from them, we may give them such an oath, or refuse - but at least we should enter along with them in order to correct their errors. Do you advise this?

Ans. ..(words unclear).., then no, ..(words unclear).. no. But if he visits them, ..(words unclear).. calls and guides them to what is good - then there is no harm in that. But they should be separate and independent upon the way of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah, and if they visit the Ikwaan or the Jamaa'at ut-Tableegh, and give them sincere advice for Allaah's sake - and warns them against blind-partisanship, and ..(words unclear).. them with the Book and the Sunnah, cling to the Book and the Sunnah, be with us upon good, without splits and divergence. There is no harm in that, it is something good. {The above questions were asked by Abul-Hasan Mustafa Ibn Isma'eel al-Misree in the house of the Shaikh Abdul-Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz - hafidzahullaahu ta'aalaa - on the 6th day of Dhul-Hijjah 1416H before the day of Tarwiyah. All of this as recorded on cassettes}

Q. We hear - O Shaikh - about Jamaa'at ut-Tableegh and the da'wah which they carry out. Do you advise me to go with this Jamaa'ah. I hope for guidance and advice - and may Allaah grant you a great reward.

Ans. Whoever calls to Allaah is one who conveys the message. Whoever calls to Allaah is one who conveys the message: "Convey from me, even only a single Aayah." (Sahih al-Bukhaaree no. 3461). So the well-known Jamaa'at ut-Tableegh have some innovations and matters of Shirk. So it is not allowed to out with them, except for a person who has knowledge, he may go with them to teach them. But as for him going out with them to follow them, then no! Since they have false beliefs and deficiency in knowledge. However if ..(words unclear).. Jamaa'at ut-Tableegh upon insight and knowledge, then he may go out with them in order to call to Allaah. Or if a person who has knowledge and insight goes out with them, in order to advise and censure them, and guide them to good and to teach them - in order that they may abandon their false position and come to the position of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah.

{From the taped questions and answers called: "Aqaa'id wa Afqaar Mashaayikhit-Tableegh".}

Q. Concerning Jamaa'atul-Jihaad and co-operation with them?

Ans. ... they are not to be co-operated with, nor are they to be given salaams to. Rather, they are to be cut off from, and the people are to be warned against their evil. Since they are a fitnah (tribulation/trial) and are harmful to the Muslims, and they are the brothers of the Devil (Shaytaan)!

{From the taped cassette (no.11), recorded in the month of Dhul-Hijjah 1408H (1987CE) at 'at-Tawiyyatul-Islaamiyyah.}